OPT Marketing Director Jobs
Marketing Director jobs are available to F-1 OPT students, but roles at this seniority level require employers willing to sponsor or extend OPT work authorization. Most positions qualify under business or marketing degree fields. STEM OPT extension is not available for this role, so your 12-month OPT timeline matters.
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INTRODUCTION
University Advancement creates the conditions for opportunity – human, financial, & experiential – by garnering and stewarding the resources that advance William & Mary.
The Office of Career Development & Professional Engagement empowers students and alumni to explore professional possibilities and navigate lifelong career development.
Position Summary
The Assistant Director for Events & Marketing is a key member of the Office of Career Development & Professional Engagement which is housed in the Office of University Advancement at William & Mary.
The Assistant Director reports to the Director of Career Development & Professional Engagement Operations, with a dotted line to the Executive Director of Strategic Events and is responsible for event coordination and support of events and programming for the Office of Career Development & Professional Engagement. The Assistant Director will work directly with vendors, campus partners, employers, students and the career team as well as colleagues within Advancement to provide pre-planning and onsite management of assigned events. In collaboration with the Director of Operations, they will develop and implement marketing strategies that increase awareness, engagement, and event participation.
The Assistant Director will help foster a culture of belonging that embraces all people and perspectives. This position is based in Williamsburg and is expected to work in the office campus.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Hospitality, Marketing or related field, or equivalent combination of education, experience, and training.
- Experience in planning or coordinating meetings and events and managing logistics (Typically 2+ years).
- Demonstrated strong sense of customer service and is a team player who is also comfortable as a self-starter.
- Demonstrated outstanding interpersonal skills to develop and foster communication and teamwork with a diverse audience including alumni, donors, faculty, staff, students, and the university community.
- Excellent computer skills and proficiency with Microsoft Office products, Canva, Adobe Creative Cloud and a variety of computer applications including word processing, graphic design, spreadsheets, databases, and online systems.
- Exceptional organizational skills, detail oriented, and ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills and displays sensitivity to personal information.
- Knowledge of successful event planning and execution practices.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Advanced degree in Business, Hospitality, Marketing or related field, or relevant certificates.
- Experience with event planning and coordination in higher education or career services.
- Experience with social media and web-marketing based platforms.
- Experience with procurement and accounts payable processes such as processing and tracking vendor quotes, invoices and payments.
- Experience working in a higher educational setting and managing student employees.
- Experience in the travel/educational travel industry.
- Skills related to online survey tools and website support.
- Experience with CRM databases, Adobe Creative Cloud, event management software, and digital communication tools.
- Experience using careers services management tools, platforms, or applications, e.g., Symplicity, 12Twenty, College Central Network, etc.
- Demonstrated skills in event data analysis.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
- This is a non-exempt position, which may be eligible to receive overtime in accordance with the Fair Labor Standards Act.
- Ability to work occasional early mornings, evenings, and weekends as needed.
- Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
- Valid driver's license and reliable transportation are required to perform the duties of the position.
- Ability to safely operate a golf cart; training will be provided.
- Frequent travel to on-campus locations, with occasional travel to off-campus sites.
- This position is subject to additional hours beyond the typical workday, to include evenings and weekends.
JOB DUTIES
70% - Event & Marketing Management:
- Gather quotes or proposals in areas of food and beverage and venue location and rental in local and national markets. Place and confirm orders after team review.
- Produce and manage invitations, track RSVPs via various means, and produce event collateral such as nametags, place cards, menu cards, and programs.
- Develop social media content to increase awareness, engagement, and attendance.
- Manage and mentor the student marketing team in the creation and execution of marketing content ensuring brand consistency, meeting deadlines and increasing audience engagement.
- Liaise with other offices to set and adhere to deadlines set forth for event production and engage with various constituent offices and departments throughout campus to provide pre-planning and onsite management of assigned events.
- Plan and manage internal staff meetings and retreats.
- Provide onsite support for events (e.g., building and managing onsite registrations, serving as a production assistant).
- Distribute post-event surveys and compile results. Provide event research/reports as necessary.
- Participate with the staff in the development and implementation of special events.
15% - Office Management:
- Work with the Director of Operations to process event invoices and payments. Report on outstanding payments.
- Maintain event supplies and ensure inventory is organized, relevant, and available. Anticipate needs, place and expedite orders as needed. Research new vendors and products for cost efficiencies and collateral items.
- Gather and maintain current information for business contacts, sponsors and vendor lists.
- Manage Office of Career Development & Professional Engagement events calendar, liaising with other campus entities to bring awareness of career events to the campus master calendar.
15% - General Administrative Support:
- Serve as the initial/front-facing point of contact for events, responding to emails, and performing other duties to communicate with internal and external stakeholders.
- Maintain accurate events records in TribeCareers, powered by Symplicity, and electronic event files.
- Analyze social media performance using analytics and recommend improvements.
- Run event reports through TribeCareers that show data analysis, budget event spending and event forecasting.
- Prepare and distribute event briefings for career events and programs.
- Attend Strategic Events meetings in University Marketing.
- Other duties as assigned.
LOCATION
Location: Williamsburg, Virginia, United States
SALARY
Salary: $45,000 to $50,000, commensurate with experience and internal alignment.
BENEFITS SUMMARY STATEMENT
William & Mary offers our employees a full array of benefits including retirement, health insurance with options for expanded dental and vision along with group and optional life insurance with coverage for spouse and children, flexible spending accounts, and an EAP (Employee Assistance Program). Our employees enjoy additional university benefits such as educational assistance, professional development, wellness benefits, and a robust holiday schedule. All employees have access to fitness facilities on campus. Staff members also have access to the university libraries, and much more.
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS
For full consideration, submit application materials by the review date, Monday, November 30, 2026. Applications received after the review date will be considered if needed.
Required application materials:
- A resume and cover letter are required for this position - please upload both documents with your application.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT
EEO is the Law. Applicants can learn more about William & Mary’s status as an equal opportunity employer by viewing the "Know Your Rights" poster published by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
BACKGROUND CHECK STATEMENT
William & Mary is committed to providing a safe campus community. W&M conducts background investigations for applicants being considered for employment. Background investigations include reference checks, a criminal history record check, and when appropriate, a financial (credit) report or driving history check.
APPLICANT NOTICE
By applying for this position, you consent to William & Mary's use, review, and retention of your application materials for recruitment and employment purposes. Materials may be shared with authorized individuals participating in the hiring process and will be managed in accordance with applicable laws and university policies.
PROBATIONARY PERIOD NOTICE
Individuals selected for full-time staff positions will be required to complete a twelve (12) month probationary period in accordance with university policy.
REMOTE WORK DISCLAIMER
Remote work eligibility is not guaranteed and is subject to approval. Employee eligibility depends on the likelihood of the employee succeeding in a remote work arrangement and the supervisor’s ability to manage remote workers. Departments and/or Human Resources may amend, alter, change, delete, or modify eligibility.
See all 275+ OPT Marketing Director Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Marketing Director
Lead with your OPT authorization upfront
Marketing Director candidates who disclose OPT status early in outreach eliminate wasted interviews. Mention your authorization end date and visa timeline in your cover letter so employers can assess fit before investing in the process.
Target companies with prior OPT sponsorship history
Employers who have sponsored international candidates before understand the process and are far less likely to withdraw offers over paperwork concerns. Prioritize companies with established HR infrastructure over early-stage startups without dedicated immigration support.
Quantify marketing impact in dollar-free terms
At the director level, employers expect demonstrated results. Lead with percentage growth in pipeline, customer acquisition rates, campaign performance metrics, and team size managed. Concrete outcomes position you as a proven leader worth the sponsorship investment.
Position yourself for H-1B sponsorship from day one
Marketing Director qualifies as a specialty occupation under H-1B visa rules, but your employer needs time to prepare. Start conversations about long-term sponsorship during offer negotiation, not three months before your OPT expires, to allow proper planning.
Build a portfolio of cross-functional leadership examples
Director-level hiring managers want evidence you can align marketing with sales, product, and finance. Prepare two or three specific examples where your leadership drove measurable cross-team outcomes. This differentiates you from candidates with strong execution but limited strategic exposure.
Understand which employer sizes are most OPT-friendly
Mid-size companies between 200 and 2,000 employees often offer the best balance of structured HR teams and flexible hiring timelines. Large enterprises have bureaucratic delays; very small companies often lack the legal support to process international work authorization confidently.
Marketing Director OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Marketing Director on F-1 OPT?
Yes, Marketing Director roles are eligible for F-1 OPT work authorization as long as the position is directly related to your degree field, typically business, marketing, communications, or a related discipline. You must have a valid EAD card before starting work, and your employment must begin within your authorized OPT period.
Does a Marketing Director role qualify for STEM OPT extension?
No. Marketing Director positions fall under business and marketing fields, which are not on the STEM Designated Degree Program list. This means your OPT authorization is limited to 12 months. Planning your H-1B sponsorship timeline with your employer well before that window closes is essential to maintaining continuous work authorization.
How do I find Marketing Director jobs that sponsor OPT students?
Migrate Mate is the recommended platform for finding Marketing Director jobs open to OPT candidates. Employers listed there have indicated willingness to work with international students on work authorization. Filtering by sponsorship-friendly employers saves significant time compared to applying broadly and discovering authorization concerns late in the hiring process.
Will employers sponsor H-1B for a Marketing Director role?
Marketing Director qualifies as an H-1B specialty occupation because it typically requires a bachelor's degree or higher in a specific field such as marketing, business administration, or communications. Many employers at this level are willing to sponsor H-1B petitions, particularly if you demonstrate strong ROI on your hire during the OPT period. Raise sponsorship expectations early in negotiations.
What happens if my OPT expires before H-1B approval comes through?
If your employer files your H-1B petition before your OPT expires and you receive a receipt notice, you may be eligible for a cap-gap extension that bridges your status through September 30 of that year. If selected in the H-1B lottery with an October 1 start date, this extension covers the gap. Work with your DSO immediately once your employer commits to sponsorship.